There was a consensus among researchers and experts in agriculture, water and livestock management that rural women's participation in decision making at all levels - ranging from production to marketing - may contribute to increasing family income.

Mustafa Nangraj, a lead researcher in plantation, crops productivity, nutrition and marketing mechanism in rural areas, referred to a recent study he has conducted in 12 districts of the province, saying that 60 percent of women did not have the power to decide about which crop should be cultivated in the family's farm. Only men could decide this.

He was speaking at a programme to orient media persons on "Women empowerment through women's increased access to water resources and agricultural markets", organized by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) on Thursday at its office in Hyderabad.

Besides media persons, representatives of Agriculture Extension, Livestock Department, Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) and independent researchers participated in the event to discuss the challenges facing rural women, mostly in farming, livestock and water governance.

Nangraj sharing his observations said that women played a major role in agriculture, specially staying involved in cultivation, sowing and harvesting while men had a little role. Thus, he suggested engaging women in agriculture, livestock management and water governance.